About Orion Capital

Orion Capital Management, a fee-only financial advisor in San Diego, CA, is led by two principals who are both highly-educated, experienced professionals, committed to continuous learning.  

We are dedicated to delivering you the highest quality investment management and financial planning advice possible. We also pride ourselves on our highly-responsive service that puts our clients first.

Orion's Unique Culture

Orion’s unique culture has its roots in the prior military service of its two principals.  Before embarking of their careers in finance, both Peter and Jeff served in the United States Navy as members of small, focused teams.  They thrived in demanding, fast-paced environments where the cost of mistakes, inattention or poor judgment could be extraordinarily high.

As a Naval Flight Officer aboard the P-3 Orion, Peter worked as a member of a team for whom crisp, clear communication, decisiveness and rigorous attention to detail was essential to not only the success of the mission, but also the safety of the crew.

As a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician/Special Operations Operator, Jeff operated around the world in conflict-zones where he needed to command the trust of not only fellow U.S. operators, but also foreign allied forces.  Whether on missions with Navy SEALS, U.S. Special Forces, or foreign allied bomb disposal units, Jeff operated, often with imperfect information, in fluid, rapidly evolving circumstances which required pro-active, clear thinking coupled with precise and decisive action.

The  esprit du corps developed during Peter and Jeff’s military service is evident in Orion’s culture today in the positive, good-natured, can-do attitude that permeates our firm.

Our Team

Peter C. Thoms, CFA

Founder & Portfolio Manager

Jefferson Rotherham, CFP®, MSAFP

Director of Financial Planning

Chaz Fahrner, CFP®, MSBA, EA

Senior Wealth Manager

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Our Difference

Read about what you can expect from Orion and how we are different

Our Services

Find out how our services help clients simplify their financial lives.

Our Process

In a few simple steps, we can get started working to improve your financial life.

Our Clients

Learn more how we help a variety of clients protect and build their wealth

Peter C. Thoms, CFA

Founder & Portfolio Manager

Peter Thoms is Orion Capital Management LLC’s Founder and Portfolio Manager. He founded Orion Capital Management LLC in Coronado, California in 2002. He has over 20 years of investment management experience. He enjoys finding the right instruments to fit a client’s unique circumstances ranging from small-cap hidden gems, to low-tax index funds and including little-known tax strategies that help business owner clients save on taxes and boost their retirement nest eggs.

Prior to starting Orion, Peter worked in the mutual fund industry at PIMCO Equity Advisors and Federated Investors in New York City. After several years, Peter decided he wanted a more personal approach to investment management; he wanted to work directly with clients to help them protect and growth their wealth. He left New York City and settled in Coronado, California to found Orion Capital Management LLC.

Before his investment career, Peter served as a U.S. Naval Flight Officer aboard the P-3 Orion, an anti-submarine warfare and surveillance aircraft. He was stationed at Naval Air Station, Barbers Point, Hawaii. 

He has also lived outside the United States for a total of 13 years in Ethiopia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Austria, the United Kingdom and Oman and has traveled in more than 80 countries on six continents. In 1994, he completed a one-year, 24,000-mile solo overland journey across Africa.

Peter holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation and is a member of the CFA Institute. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia in 1998, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in International & Comparative Political Studies from Hamilton College in 1989.

Peter lives in Coronado, CA with his wife Janet and their four children.  Peter volunteers in the community with Boy Scouts and in the schools.  He enjoys tennis, skiing, and watching his children surf, and play volleyball, lacrosse and tennis.

Jeff Rotherham, CFP®, MSAFP

Director of Financial Planning

Jefferson Rotherham is Orion’s Director of Financial Planning.  Jeff has close to 10 years of experience in financial planning. He is passionate helping clients reach their goals through clear financial plans and tax-efficient strategies that take the stress and worry out of investment management and allow clients to focus on living their best life.

Prior to joining Orion in April 2019, Jefferson was the Director of Financial Planning at a nationally recognized investment and planning firm in the San Diego area.  Over the course of his career, Jefferson has developed and monitored hundreds of financial plans for clients in a wide range of circumstances. He earned his Certified Financial Planner® designation in 2015.  

Prior to embarking on his career in financial planning, Jefferson served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years as a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician/Special Operations Operator. He served in several combat theatres of operation including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He spent the majority of his Navy career in Special Operations, training and leading advanced EOD operational elements and teams.  During his career, he was integrated into various operations with U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Army Special Forces, British bomb disposal units and the United States Secret Service.  He also participated in bilateral MIA recovery operations in Laos.

While serving in the Navy, Jefferson was continually nominated as the Command Financial Specialist (CFS). In this role he counseled hundreds of service members and their families in financial management.

Jefferson holds a Master of Science degree in Advanced Financial Planning from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University.

Jefferson resides in Coronado, California, with his wife Sarah and their three children.  He is a regular volunteer at Coronado schools and various athletic activities.  He is an active supporter of the EOD Warrior Foundation and the Naval Special Warfare Family Foundation.  In his free time, Jefferson enjoys time with family and friends, travel, wine tasting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Chaz Fahrner, CFP®, MSBA, EA

Senior Wealth Advisor

Chaz Fahrner CFP® is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Orion. Chaz has worked in the finance industry for over 15 years. He is committed to working with clients to help them achieve their, retirement, estate, real estate, investment, tax, and financial planning needs.

Prior to joining Orion, Chaz has worked with 2 nationally recognized investment and financial planning firms.  At his previous firm, he held FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses as well as a life and health license. Over the course of his career, Chaz has created and monitored hundreds of financial plans for clients in a variety of financial situations. 

Chaz is a CFP® practitioner (Certified Financial Planner®) and an EA (Enrolled Agent) with the IRS. Chaz earned his Master’s Degree in Financial and Tax Planning at San Diego State University. He also earned his BA in Financial Services at San Diego State University and received the SDSU Personal Financial Planning Certificate.  

Chaz is originally from Boise, Idaho, and enjoys an active lifestyle from backpacking and fishing in the Sierra Mountains to hiking in Anza Borrego. He also loves volunteering, cooking, gardening, watching Aztec sports, and spending time with friends and family. He lives in the charming South Park neighborhood with his dog Cooper.

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